Latest West PH Sea resupply mission sailed sans consent from China – NSC

MANILA, Philippines — The National Security Council (NSC) countered China’s claim regarding the latest West Philippine Sea resupply mission, stressing the voyage continued without asking permission from Beijing.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Briefing in Malacañang, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the assertion of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that “China had been informed of the resupply before it was carried out” is not true.

“Gusto ko lang po, categorically pabulaanan ‘yan. Ang tawag nga ng DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) it’s a misrepresentation of facts. Walang nangyaring boarding, walang nangyaring inspection, at wala rin nangyaring pagpapaalam,” said NSC Assistant. Director General Jonathan Malaya said in a Bagong Pilipinas Briefing.

(I just want to categorically disprove that. As the DFA said, it’s a misrepresentation of facts. No boarding happened, no inspection happened, and no asking of permission happened either.)

READ: Latest RoRe mission at West Philippine Sea went smoothly – DFA

“Hindi po magpapaalam ang Pilipinas kahit kanino at kahit kailan man, ‘pag tayo ay nagcoconduct ng operations sa West Philippine Sea,” he added.

(The Philippines will not ask for permission from anyone at any time, especially when we are conducting operations in the West Philippine Sea.)

This aerial photograph taken from a military aircraft shows the dilapidated Sierra Madre ship of the Philippine Navy anchored near Ayungin shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) with Philippine soldiers on-board to secure the perimeter in the Spratly group of islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, on May 11, 2015. The Spratlys are considered a potential Asian flashpoint, and claimant nations including the Philippines have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive reclamation activity. AFP PHOTO / POOL / RITCHIE B. TONGO (Photo by RITCHIE B. TONGO / POOL / AFP)

Malaya cited the July 2016 arbitral ruling, which, he stressed, decided that Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal is a low-tide elevation within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

“Ibig sabihin hindi ito pwedeng angkinin ng Tsina dahil ito ay parte ng Pilipinas,” he said.

(That means it cannot be claimed by China because it is part of the Philippines.)

Malaya even declared the July 27 resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal  as “successful”  because no untoward incidents such as dangerous maneuvers, water cannons, or ramming occurred during the voyage.

He then attributed its success to the country’s negotiation with China where both agreed to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: PH-China agreement reached on Ayungin

Malaya, however, noted that nine Chinese vessels were still spotted in the area while the resupply mission was being carried out over the weekend.

Four of the vessels were from the the Chinese Coast Guard ships, three from the People’s Liberation Army, and two from Beijng’s maritime militia.

Still, Malaya noted the number of Chinese ships are significantly less than before, when it even reached up to 40 vessels.

“They kept their distance [now], kumbaga dumistansya sila, hinayaan nilang maglayag ng maayos ‘yung ating RoRe (rotation and resupply) mission,” he said.

(They kept their distance now, meaning they distanced themselves, they let our RoRe mission sail smoothly.)